Back to path GUIDEBOOKProbability
UNIT 3

Probability & Expected Value

A decision can be good before the outcome and still lose once.

Forecast55%Not certain
What it tells you

The weighted average payoff across many possible outcomes.

When it is useful
  • Comparing strategies
  • Calibrating confidence
When it fails
  • Inputs may be wrong
  • Expected value says nothing about path survival
COMMON MISTAKE

Equating a winning outcome with a good decision.

Evidence note

Forecast quality is commonly evaluated with proper scoring rules and calibration, not accuracy alone.

60-SECOND CHEAT SHEET

Remember this.

  1. 1EV = Σ(probability × payoff)
  2. 2Win rate needs payoff
  3. 3Confidence should match evidence
NEXT ACTIVITYWin rate is not enoughJudge a strategy by the whole payoff equation.
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